The Cincinnati Bengals have officially ruled out wide receiver Tee Higgins for their Thanksgiving matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Higgins remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol following a head injury sustained in Week 12 and was unable to participate in any practices this week. The team confirmed his status on Wednesday’s final injury report.
The decision arrives at a critical time for the Bengals, who enter Week 13 in need of stability as they continue pushing for playoff positioning. Head coach Zac Taylor emphasized that Higgins’ long-term health remains the top priority and said the organization will not accelerate his return before he is fully cleared.
Latest Details on Higgins’ Injury
Higgins suffered a concussion during the Bengals’ Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots. The injury occurred in the second half when he took a heavy hit while attempting to secure a contested catch along the sideline. Medical personnel immediately removed him from the field for evaluation, and he did not return to the game.
He was formally listed as “Out” for Week 13 after recording three straight DNPs (Did Not Practice) on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Because he could not complete the multi-step NFL protocol, his availability for the nationally televised game became unrealistic.
Reports including commentary cited from Zac Taylor via Bleacher Report confirm that the Bengals are prioritizing caution and will not risk setbacks by rushing Higgins onto the field on a short week.
Impact on the Bengals’ Offensive Strategy
The absence of Higgins places additional weight on the Bengals’ offensive structure. With Joe Burrow returning from injury and still regaining rhythm, losing a reliable receiver complicates Cincinnati’s game plan. Burrow now leans more heavily on Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and Cincinnati’s tight end unit to provide production in the passing attack.
Higgins has been a consistent offensive weapon when healthy, contributing valuable size, route precision, and red-zone presence. His absence limits matchup flexibility and allows the Ravens’ defense—known for its aggressive secondary—to adjust coverage strategies more freely.
Short-week preparation magnifies these challenges, as adjusting routes and timing against Baltimore’s physical defense becomes more difficult without a full practice schedule.
Looking Ahead: Recovery Timeline
The timeline for Higgins’ return remains uncertain. The Bengals have two additional games in December but will evaluate Higgins’ status weekly based on his progression through protocol stages. His ability to resume light activity and practice repetitions will determine when he can return to gameplay.
Concussions vary widely in recovery duration, and Cincinnati continues to approach this case with medical caution.
For now, the Bengals move forward without one of their top receivers as they attempt to keep postseason hopes alive in one of the most competitive divisions in football.
